King Charles' plan to slim down the monarchy may start with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie

The speculation arises following the Danish Queen's announcement on Wednesday, 28th September, that she would be stripping four of her grandchildren of HRH stylings and titles.

King Charles didn't begin the movement

Although it is widely rumoured that King Charles III is a prominent advocate for a slimmed-down monarchy, His Majesty is only continuing the framework started by his great-great-grandfather King George V, explains royal commentator Marlene Koeing.

In 1917, King George issued Letters Patent detailing who could and could no longer use HRH stylings and titles. Expressreveals that the 1917 Letters Patent declared that only children of the Sovereign, the grandchildren in the male line, and the eldest son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales, were entitled to HRH status and titles.

Queen Elizabeth made a slight amendment in 2012 by extending the HRH status and titles to all of the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's children. Without the modification, only Prince George would have been entitled to the title of Prince.

Koeing notes that King Charles will likely further restrict access to HRH stylings but that the Monarch needs to prioritise making changes to succession as it isn't 'gender equal.'

A European trend

Koeing notes that King Charles isn't the only European Monarch to trim down their members.

In 1987, Spain limited HRH status to the children of the King and the children of the heir apparent, as did the King of Belgium in 2015, Express reports.

Queen Margrethe II of Denmark announced only last week that she would be stripping four of her grandchildren of their HRH stylings. The King of Sweden also removed the HRH from some of his grandchildren.

Who will be in the firing line?

Koeing suggests that King Charles, now at the helm of the British Royal Family, will attempt to restrict titles further.

Those who are likely to be affected by these changes are Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Both the daughters of Prince Andrew have HRH status and all that goes with it, despite never having joined the Royal Family as working members, Express notes.

Royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News that Prince Andrew's scandalous behaviour ruined his daughters' chances of having royal careers. The expert claims that under the reign of King Charles, it is improbable that they keep their titles. Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are likely to become Lady Beatrice and Lady Eugenie, the title of a duke's daughter.

Under the 1917 Letters Patent, Archie and Lilibet, grandchildren of the Sovereign on the male line, are automatically entitled to HRH status and titles. Thus, making them Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. However, no official announcement has been made on the subject.

Should King Charles follow in the footsteps of Spain or Belgium, Prince Harry and Meghan's children may never be entitled to HRH stylings.

Sources used:

- Express: 'King Charles tipped to 'downgrade' Beatrice and Eugenie's titles after Danish Queen's move'

- Fox News: 'King Charles III may remove Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie's royal titles due to Prince Andrew: expert'

Read more:

⋙ Prince Harry and Prince Andrew could be axed as Counsellors of State if King Charles amends law

⋙ King Charles III: Could his stepchildren play a role in His Majesty's 'modern monarchy'?

⋙ King Charles III: The challenges that lie ahead for the Monarch